Sri Lanka 7 Day Itinerary

Picture this: You’re in Sri Lanka, which is the beautiful country that is off the southern coast of India.

In fact, Sri Lanka is actually best when it comes to tourist spots, such as beaches, mountains, history, and food that’ll make you want to try more.

Anyway, if you’ve got only a week to explore this beautiful country, we’ve got the best itinerary for you.

So, no stress, no overthinking—just a simple, fun-filled itinerary that allows you to get the best of this beautiful country. 

Day 1: Colombo

As your first stop, you’ll land in Colombo, which is the most famous city in Sri Lanka, and your first day is all about easing into the vibe of Sri Lanka.

Therefore, you can start your journey with a good cup of Ceylon tea because, let’s be honest, you’re here for it.

Then, let’s head to Independence Square, which carries a weight when it comes to the history of Sri Lanka.

Speaking of which, you can even witness the vibe that is around which will show you how it was back then.

Afterward, take a walk through the Pettah Market.

This place is full of energy because people are quite busy with their customers and you can get almost anything from here for a cheap price.

Plus, don’t forget to haggle—it’s the fun part over there! 

Anyway, by evening, you can hit up one of the rooftop bars in the city. 

Whereas these often have live music and great views of the sunset. 

Then, later on, you can finish the day with dinner at a local restaurant. In fact, you could try the rice and curry combo which is quite easy to get the real Sri Lankan taste at its finest.

Day 2 & 3: Sigiriya and Dambulla

On Day 2, wake up early and head to Sigiriya.

It’s about a 4-5 hour drive from Colombo, but trust us, it’s worth it. 

Sigiriya Rock Fortress is basically a giant rock sticking out of the ground with ancient ruins on top. 

Whereas you can climb up the steps that are carved into the rock and enjoy the views as you go. 

Speaking of which, the paintings halfway up are stunning, and the mirror wall has some fascinating graffiti from centuries ago.

Moreover, once you’re done exploring, you can head to your hotel in the area. 

In fact, you can spend the rest of the day by relaxing or visiting nearby attractions like Pidurangala Rock. 

It’s another climb, but less crowded and gives out an incredible view of Sigiriya.

Moving on, day 3 is all about Dambulla. 

Whereas you can visit the Golden Temple, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Once you are inside of the temple, you’ll find massive Buddha statues and walls covered in murals. 

Speaking of which, it’s a peaceful place to relax your mind before heading back outside to explore the cave temples.

In addition to that, if you’ve still got energy, you can tack a drive to the Dambulla Market.

It’s smaller than Pettah but quite perfect in a way when it comes to vegetables. 

Day 4: Kandy

Your next stop is Kandy, which is the cultural place of Sri Lanka.

It’s about a 3-hour drive from Dambulla, so you’ll have plenty of time to settle in once you arrive.

Speaking of which, you can start your day at the Temple of the Tooth Relic. It’s one of the most sacred places in the country, that has a tooth relic of Buddha.

Anyway, even if you’re not into religious aspects, the architecture and atmosphere are quite perfect.

Afterward, you can take a walk around Kandy Lake. 

It’s a man-made lake surrounded by trees, which is perfect for relaxing your mind. 

In fact, if you’re lucky, you might even get the opportunity to catch a glimpse of purple-faced langurs (monkeys) hanging out in the trees nearby. 

Trust us, not everyone has the chance to see them.

Moving on, for lunch, you can try some string hoppers—a type of steamed rice noodle dish served with curry. 

Then, you can visit the Royal Botanical Gardens. 

It’s huge, so wear comfortable shoes because you have to walk around to spot the beauty of it. 

Speaking of which, one of the highlights includes the giant bamboo trees and the orchid section in here, so make sure to check out those as well.

Anyway, in the evening, you can catch a traditional Kandyan dance performance. 

Trust us, the drumming, fire-walking, and their clothes will leave you mesmerized. 

Day 5 & 6: Nuwara Eliya

Now we’re taking you to a place that holds its name for tea plantations.

Yes, that’s right, Nuwara Eliya is where Sri Lanka gets its famous Ceylon tea. 

In fact, the journey itself is part of the adventure where you can take the train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya. 

Trust us, the ride is breathtaking, with rolling hills, waterfalls, and tea plantations that go along as far as the eye can see.

Note: Bring snacks and sit by the window; you won’t regret it.

Anyway, once you arrive, check into your hotel. 

Whereas many places here feel like they’re straight out of colonial times, with comfortable fireplaces and vintage decor. 

Moving on, on Day 6, you can explore Horton Plains National Park. 

This park is basically the home to wildlife like sambar deer and leopards, though spotting them can be tricky. 

However, the real highlight is the World’s End, a cliff with a dramatic drop-off that gives out panoramic views. 

Anyway, just keep an eye on the weather—it can get foggy quickly.

So, after all that adventure, back in town, you can spend your evening by visiting the Victoria Park or grabbing dinner at a local café.  

Trust us, this will give you a lot of energy after all that walking.

Day 7: Galle

On your final day, head south to Galle. 

It’s about a 4-hour drive from Nuwara Eliya, so start early to get there. 

Once you arrive, spend your morning by exploring Galle Fort. In fact, this Dutch-built fort is now a UNESCO World Heritage spot, filled with narrow streets, boutique shops, and art galleries.  

In addition to that, you can climb up to the lighthouse for fascinating ocean views.

So, as the above-mentioned locations may fill up your morning time, you can grab lunch at one of the many cafes inside the fort. 

Speaking of which, seafood is the main highlight over there, so order something like grilled fish or crab curry. 

Moving on, after eating, you can relax on Unawatuna Beach. It’s a short tuk-tuk ride away and perfect for swimming or just resting under the sun.

With that, as the day winds down, you can watch the sunset from the fort walls. 

It’s quite magical, especially when the sky turns shades of orange and pink. 

Therefore, end your trip with dinner at a seaside restaurant and order whatever looks good because you deserve it after a week of adventures.

And there you have it—a tour of Sri Lanka in just seven days. 

Of course, there’s way more to see if you had more time, but hey, seven days is a pretty solid start.

Anyway the best thing about Sri Lanka is the hospitality that you would get from Sri Lankans. They’re warm, welcoming, and always ready to share a smile or a story. 

So don’t hesitate to make up conversations along the way—this is because you never know what you’ll discover.

So, pack light, bring your sense of adventure, and let this country work its magic for you.